体坛英语新闻：Superstar Durant among four Nets players to test positive for coronavirus

WASHINGTON, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Superstar Kevin Durant was among four players of the Brooklyn Nets who tested positive for the coronavirus, local media reported on Tuesday.

The team announced Tuesday that four players were diagnosed with coronavirus, without disclosing their names. But Durant told sports news website The Athletic that he's one of them.

"Everyone be careful, take care of yourself and quarantine. We're going to get through this," Durant said.

"Of the four, one player is exhibiting symptoms while three are asymptomatic. All four players are presently isolated and under the care of team physicians," the Nets said in the statement.

The 31-year-old Durant has not played this season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered during last year's NBA Finals, and isn't expected to return this season.

There now are seven known cases of coronavirus in the NBA.

The Utah Jazz's Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, along with the Detroit Pistons' Christian Wood, have also tested positive for coronavirus.

The Nets played neither Utah nor Detroit in February or March before the NBA suspended play last Wednesday.

Durant hadn't traveled with the Nets for most of the season while rehabbing from Achilles surgery, but he sat on the Brooklyn bench last Tuesday when they played the Lakers at Staples Center, the Nets' final game before the shutdown.

"The organization is currently notifying anyone who has had known contact with the players, including recent opponents, and is working closely with state and local health authorities on reporting. All players and members of the Nets travel party are being asked to remain isolated, closely monitor their health and maintain constant communication with team medical staff," the statement said.

"The health of our players and staff is of the highest priority to the organization and the team is doing everything within its power to ensure that those affected receive the best care possible."

"As always, we appreciate the support of our fans, partners and surrounding community, and we wish all those who are battling this virus a speedy recovery," the statement read.